Construction Management

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$75,095

Median Earnings

$93,910

Schools Offering

ROI Grade

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $90,239Median: $93,91075th: $98,967

Best Schools for Construction Management by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	California State University-East Bay CA · Public	81	$119,067	$9,320	N/A	-
2	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo CA · Public	96	$118,331	$16,665	$18,955	A
3	Wentworth Institute of Technology MA · Private	82	$111,195	$34,170	$27,000	B+
4	California State University-Chico CA · Public	82	$108,021	$14,480	$19,314	A
5	Washington State University WA · Public	84	$107,531	$14,971	N/A	-
6	Drexel University PA · Private	82	$105,887	$38,509	$31,000	B
7	University of Alaska Anchorage AK · Public	54	$103,316	$15,301	N/A	-
8	Arizona State University Campus Immersion AZ · Public	77	$103,060	$14,967	N/A	-
9	Minnesota State University-Mankato MN · Public	62	$102,090	$19,139	$26,499	B
10	University of Wisconsin-Stout WI · Public	67	$101,758	$17,490	$20,425	B+
11	Newschool of Architecture and Design CA · Private	38	$101,676	$52,570	N/A	-
12	Northern Arizona University AZ · Public	64	$99,015	$14,158	$23,700	B+
13	Middle Tennessee State University TN · Public	46	$98,967	$13,359	$22,050	B+
14	Clemson University SC · Public	86	$98,726	$22,253	$22,675	B+
15	Missouri State University-Springfield MO · Public	46	$98,563	$17,613	$24,600	B+
16	University of Louisiana at Monroe LA · Public	47	$98,336	$13,466	$18,901	B+
17	Brigham Young University UT · Private	94	$98,073	$15,564	$12,228	A
18	Central Washington University WA · Public	68	$97,651	$18,476	$26,999	B+
19	University of Central Missouri MO · Public	48	$96,186	$14,462	$24,750	B+
20	University of Nebraska at Omaha NE · Public	64	$95,682	$13,441	$24,670	B+
21	Boise State University ID · Public	45	$95,250	$21,610	$25,000	B+
22	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University VA · Public	89	$95,165	$24,953	$27,000	B
23	Milwaukee School of Engineering WI · Private	89	$95,147	$22,453	N/A	-
24	Indiana State University IN · Public	45	$94,902	$10,873	$29,567	B
25	Mississippi State University MS · Public	54	$94,068	$17,595	$30,500	B
26	Kennesaw State University GA · Public	60	$93,910	$15,048	$27,000	B
27	Central Connecticut State University CT · Public	63	$93,908	$16,857	$22,402	B+
28	Minnesota State University Moorhead MN · Public	51	$93,431	$17,997	$21,764	B+
29	Roger Williams University RI · Private	63	$93,340	$37,999	$26,000	B+
30	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus OK · Public	83	$92,971	$15,300	$22,500	B+
31	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities MN · Public	88	$91,947	$16,778	$23,983	B+
32	The University of Texas at Tyler TX · Public	72	$91,845	$13,323	$29,000	B
33	Colorado State University Pueblo CO · Public	64	$91,816	$10,051	$24,750	B
34	Northern Michigan University MI · Public	40	$91,682	$14,085	$23,656	B+
35	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College LA · Public	76	$91,660	$19,151	$24,000	B
36	Illinois State University IL · Public	74	$91,017	$19,398	$21,500	B+
37	Everglades University FL · Private	24	$90,526	$27,371	$48,247	C
38	Ferris State University MI · Public	68	$90,504	$8,624	$20,750	B+
39	Ball State University IN · Public	54	$90,239	$14,940	$25,769	B
40	Kent State University at Kent OH · Public	30	$89,959	$20,787	$24,041	B
41	Vermont State University VT · Public	55	$88,301	$18,212	N/A	-
42	Eastern Kentucky University KY · Public	39	$88,120	$11,040	$25,500	B
43	Eastern Michigan University MI · Public	42	$87,028	$15,407	$28,750	B
44	Western Illinois University IL · Public	54	$85,974	$12,937	$26,000	B
45	University of Northern Iowa IA · Public	69	$85,688	$15,901	$23,000	B+
46	Northern Kentucky University KY · Public	58	$81,833	$8,191	$24,053	B
47	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi NY · Public	52	$81,047	$17,225	$27,000	B
48	Morgan State University MD · Public	34	$80,260	$14,985	$26,500	B
49	Appalachian State University NC · Public	58	$80,257	$16,836	$20,280	B+
50	Norwich University VT · Private	71	$76,175	$22,257	$26,363	C

School-by-school analysis: Construction Management

Editorial breakdowns of how construction management graduates fare at the top-earning programs in our dataset.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

CA · Public · $118,331 4yr earnings · $18,955 median debt

Construction Management (150 graduates) earns $92,785 year one and $118,331 at year four, with an A grade (debt-to-earnings 0.204, median debt $18,955). Year-one earnings of $93k for construction management are exceptional nationally. Cal Poly SLO's CM program feeds California's large commercial and infrastructure construction sector. The debt ratio of 0.204 is very low at a $16,665 net price.

Wentworth Institute of Technology

MA · Private · $111,195 4yr earnings · $27,000 median debt

Construction Management is Wentworth's most distinctive program and a strong performer: 106 graduates, $81,880 year-one, $111,195 year-four, ROI grade B+, debt-to-earnings 0.330. Boston's construction boom and Wentworth's deep industry relationships with New England contractors and developers produce consistent employment for these graduates. The year-one figure of nearly $82k is exceptional for a bachelor's in construction management, reflecting both Boston wages and co-op experience. The four-year figure of $111k is consistent with project management advancement timelines.

Minnesota State University-Mankato

MN · Public · $102,090 4yr earnings · $26,499 median debt

Construction Management produces 59 graduates per year with $75,682 first-year earnings and $102,090 at four years. Median debt of $26,499 against early-career earnings yields a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.350 (B grade). The four-year jump to $102K reflects the trajectory into project-management roles in the upper Midwest commercial and infrastructure construction market. This is a high-leverage track -- the program is moderate-sized but the earnings outcomes are flagship-tier.

Exceptional Value

Is Construction Management Worth It?

The Numbers Support This Major

Construction Management is one of the strongest financial bets in higher education. With average graduate earnings of $75,095 four years after graduation, this field consistently outperforms the median across all majors. The return on investment is clear.

This is a more specialized field, offered at 54 schools in our dataset. Fewer options means less room to optimize on cost, so pay close attention to the financial aid packages you receive.

The top school for this major by earnings is Washington State University, where graduates earn $107,531 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

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